Assessment of Frailty as a Risk Factor for Cardiac and Vascular Surgery

Assessment of Frailty as a Risk Factor for Cardiac and Vascular Surgery

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of frailty as a multidimensional risk factor on the outcomes of adult cardiac and vascular surgery. For the purpose of defining patient frailty a multimodal questionnaire has been developed including measurement of psychological, socioeconomical, neurological and behavioral aspects. This study also features an investigation of the possible relationship between sudden regional weather changes, individual meteorological susceptibility of the patients and the outcomes of adult cardiac and vascular surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients, 18 years or older, admitted to the hospital for elective cardiac or vascular surgery.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not willing to participate.
• Pregnant women.
• During active psychiatric hospital care.
• Patients with defined legal incapability or limited capability.
• Congenital or acquired speech impediment and locomotion disability of any kind.
• Non-evaluable patient due to communication problems and insufficient clinical information for the judgement of frailty (CFS).
• Patients admitted solely for elective surgery of the varices of the lower extremities.
• Patients with a transplanted heart.